Development of the pre-war 'small' Rolls-Royce, which had begun in 1922 with the introduction of the 20hp, culminated in 1938 with the arrival of the Wraith.

Replacement for the 25/30hp model, the Wraith retained its predecessor's engine dimensions for a capacity of 4,257cc, but almost every other aspect of its overhead-valve, six-cylinder engine was new, the most obvious difference being the adoption of a superior, cross-flow cylinder head, first seen on the 4¼-Litre Bentley, which placed the inlet and exhaust ports on opposite sides.

This extensively revised power unit was mounted in an equally new chassis.

Like that of its larger sibling, the Phantom III, the Wraith's frame featured cruciform bracing and independent front suspension based on a General Motors design.

It need hardly be stated that the Wraith improved on its predecessor's already high standards of silence and smoothness, though the benefits of the new engine's extra horsepower were largely offset by heavier coachwo...